Hemmings Find of the Day – 1974 Citroen HY horse van

I love that the seller of this 1974 Citroen HY for sale on Hemmings.com notes that the Heuliez horse van body was built with no concessions for aerodynamics – as if the slab-faced HY ever had a thing to do with streamlined shapes in the first place. Of course, the benefit of ignoring aerodynamics is a greater focus on pure functionality, and this well-cared-for purpose-built van seems to have plenty of the latter. From the seller’s description:

This is a near perfect, original and rust-free HY Heuliez with only 32.000km. We bought it from the second owner.

When ordering such a conversion from Heuliez, you could choose from a large number of different models for many different uses or types of animals. This van is an extremely rare model and different from the usual horse vans, in that no concessions were made to make her more aerodynamic, nor does she have side windows or vented doors. She does have a window high in the front, allowing the horse a nice view of the road ahead. She also has several additional large storage compartments on the sides. You can load your horse from the rear, and unload through the side. Your horse will be grateful not to have to back out! Interesting to note is that she is built on the basis of a van intended for the Benelux market. The doors hinge from the front. Likely she was built at the Amsterdam plant.

In ’74 she was delivered in Zurich to Mr Bär in the color Gris Metalisee. Recently, the second owner changed the color to a different shade of grey. At that time she was also converted to carry just one horse. This is easily reversible though. As mentioned, she is in truly exceptional condition, with patina of course, as she was never restored. Technically she is very well maintained and runs and drives superbly. You can feel immediately that she has very low original miles.

She is offered with a major service and a 123Electronic Ignition system.

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Howard Arbituresays:

August 14, 2013 9:56 am

Speaking of “slab sided”, I wonder how many of these ended up on their “slab side”. This thing looks tippy just sitting still, much less
with a horse moving around. Never understood why builders of these high vehicles don’t use dual tires on the back.

Paul Carsonsays:

August 18, 2013 7:41 am

From experience with other types of slab-sided trucks, a bit of a cross wind on almost any road has you wondering how long it will be before you are 90 degrees to your preferred angle of forward momentum! As for the window in front, wouldn’t it be a rather tall horse to allow it “a nice view of the road ahead”? Odd not to have more ventilation. Although the tail door looks like it would have a substantial gap at the top, front vents to allow a through-flow of air would not go astray on a hot day. I’m sure the horse would appreciate it. And the price is a bit expensive for a one-horse truck that may not have that much power to haul perhaps 400 lbs (?) of horse, and has inherent limitations in its own exclusivity. And what makes it so definitely female? By the way, what is a “caution horse”? I often see horse vans with a sign saying “Caution horses” on the back! It reminds me of the ice cream van in Day Of The Triffids.

Gerry Acquilanosays:

August 14, 2013 10:43 am

Andrew Frankssays:

August 14, 2013 12:28 pm

I always loved this company because it builds such bizarre and sophisticated cars/trucks. I had a ride in an ID19, and the thing is pure pleasure. But no parts and no dealers in the US so it’s sort of out of the question. On the right side, I’m surprised to see all of them for sale!

paladinsays:

August 14, 2013 3:42 pm

Looks like a prop used in a WWII movie or TV show, Like Guns Of Navarone, Where Eagles Dare, or even Hogans Heros. All Utility and zero style. Does seem to be a lot of money to pay to be the only person that has one at the car show though.

Dansays:

August 14, 2013 4:48 pm

EarlWelchsays:

August 14, 2013 8:00 pm

I know I shouldn’t say it, but I think that has to be one of THE ugliest trucks I have ever seen!! And that price! Oh well, someone will surely buy it…It brings to mind the time I sold my ’50 GMC pick up and it went to Europe, the buyer told me that our American trucks were in high demand over their as their trucks were so homely and under powered that very few were considered collectible, this truck rather proves that point.

Paul Carsonsays:

August 18, 2013 7:54 am

You’re right, it IS ugly! But the French often seemed to be a bit extraordinary in their styling. It is often called “flair”, but that almost seems like an excuse, at least in this case. And we can’t say that they never considered aerodynamics – note the parallel horizontal flutes on the engine side covers and the doors. Surely they were added after wind-tunnel testing! And you can’t mistake it for a Citroen – that huge chevron on the front grille would be spotted before you even saw the truck!